Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Hong Kong Media Tycoon Jimmy Lai Charged Under Security Law

Associated Press

   HONG KONG - Hong Kong pro-democracy activist and media tycoon Jimmy Lai
   has been charged under the city's national security law, amid a
   widening crackdown on dissent, according to local media reports.

   Lai, who founded the Apple Daily tabloid, was charged on suspicion of
   colluding with foreign forces and endangering national security, local
   broadcaster TVB reported Friday. He is the most high-profile person out
   of more than two dozen charged under the law since it was implemented
   in June.

   He is scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 12 and could face a maximum
   punishment of life imprisonment.

   Police said in a statement that they arrested a 73-year-old man under
   the national security law but did not name him.

   Lai was arrested under the national security law in August. He and two
   executives of Next Digital, the company that operates the Apple Daily
   newspaper, were later charged with fraud over accusations that they
   violated lease terms on office space the company. He was denied bail
   earlier this month.

   Beijing imposed the national security law in response to protests in
   Hong Kong that began in June 2019 over a proposed extradition law and
   expanded to include demands for greater democracy in the former British
   colony.

   The legislation outlaws secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion
   with foreign forces to intervene in Hong Kong's internal affairs. In
   certain cases, those charged under the national security law could also
   face trial in mainland China, where the legal system is highly opaque.

   The sweeping legislation prompted more public protests and led to
   complaints that Beijing is violating the autonomy promised to Hong Kong
   when it was handed over to China from Britain in 1997. Critics have
   said the law is also damaging Hong Kong's status as a business center.

   Apple Daily criticized the law on its front page on July 1, calling it
   the "final nail in the coffin" of the territory's autonomy.

   Lai has advocated for other countries to take a harsher stance on
   China, and last year he traveled to the U.S. to meet with Vice
   President Mike Pence and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to discuss the
   proposed extradition bill.

   He was also arrested in February and April on charges of taking part in
   unauthorized protests. He also faces charges of joining an unauthorized
   vigil marking the anniversary of the June 4, 1989, crackdown on
   pro-democracy protests in Beijing's Tiananmen Square.